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The existing pair of organisations, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) – which primarily represents private sector waste companies – and the members’ organisation, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), confirmed a partnership agreement to set up “Resources & Waste UK” at a launch event in London yesterday (13 November).
Explaining the rationale for creating the new organisation, David Palmer-Jones, chairman of the ESA said that it would allow the two existing groups to pool their knowledge “and have a much stronger voice than we have presently.”
Gene pool
David Beadle, CIWM’s immediate past president who has been heavily involved in drawing up the agreement, outlined how the closer partnership will work.
“We have agreed that our respective technical groups will work together so we can create a greater ‘gene pool’ of ideas and evidence… Drawing on this more robust body of evidence, we want and need to show that we have a strong industry opinion and voice.”
By communicating joint strategic messages that are common to the two organisations, he said that the new organisation will work to “secure the future success and growth of our industry and its contribution to the development of a more circular economy.”
The new body is to be lead by the CIWM chief executive Steve Lee and will have three representatives from each side on its board and could eventually be known as “Resources UK”. CIWM will also run the financing of the new organisation.
One of the first tasks of Resources & Waste UK – which could eventually be known as just Resources UK – will be to draw up a manifesto for the sector ahead of the next General Election.
During the consultation process ahead of the creation of the new organisation, some figures in the sector have raised questions about the merits of the new body. And, since the formal announcement yesterday views have been expressed about the precise role it will take, with some being less than positive.
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